Programs

Remote Observing with the Schulman Foundation Telescope

The Schulman Telescope

Amateur astronomers around the world can now enjoy taking full control of the Schulman Telescope. As the largest dedicated public access telescope in the world, the telescope was designed from inception to provide full remote control over the internet by amateur astrophotographers worldwide. The telescope has been provided to the Mt. Lemmon SkyCenter by the Schulman Foundation, Joseph D. Schulman, President.

Currently individuals can take direct control of the telescope operating the instrument through a web-based interface. Real-time imaging gives you feedback as to what is occurring at the observatory atop Mount Lemmon's 9,157 peak. You can see the images as they are acquired, watch the telescope and dome move, monitor the weather conditions, monitor guide stars, focus and much more. It is like being there, but sitting comfortably in your own home. Individuals can also elect to submit requests for data via scheduled (queued) observations.

We are in the process of establishing an on-line portal for purchase and scheduling of the Schulman Telescope, however, you can purchase time on the telescope or schedule queued observations now by sending an email to the Mount Lemmon SkyCenter at mtlemmon.skycenter@gmail.com or by contacting us at 520-626-8122. In either case, please include the best way for us to reach you in order that we can contact you to assist in planning and successfully carrying out your observations.

Location Specifications

Longtitude

-110.7889

Latitude

32.4423

Elevation

9157 ft.

Telescope Specifications

Aperture

0.8 m

Focal Length

5.6 m *f/7

Mount

Equatorial Fork

Schulman Telescope and Observatory

Telescope specifications

Diameter: 0.8m

Focal Length: 5695mm (approximately f/7)

Operational Hour Angle from -5.2 to +5.2

Typical RMS guide errors 1.5 pixels (0.5 arcseconds)

Unguided exposures possible for up to 300 second exposures

All sky pointing: approximately 60” using T-point (1 arcsecond tolerance for final commanded position after plate solution and offset)

Equatorial Fork mount with no periodic error (friction drive)

Telescope slew rate: 8 degrees per second

Observatory Specifications

Percentage of usable nights between September and June is approximately 70%

Average seeing as measured in long exposures (> 300 seconds) is approximately 1.1”